Switch



PATENTED SEPT. 20, 1904 G. E. LEMMON.

SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 4, 1904.

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ZZCZZZZ kxv UNITED STATES Patented September 20, 1904.

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SWITCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 770,686, dated September 20, 1904.

Application filed May 4, 1904. Serial No. 206,316. (No model.)

same be accidentally or by oversight left open.v

Heretofore attempts have been made to provide means for insuring against the closing of the switch; but such means or mechanisms have been in their nature rather complicated.

My invention is designed to accomplish the object above suggested with instrumentalities of economical and simple nature requiring but a few number of parts in its construction.

In United States Letters Patent No. 531,L39, issued to myself on December 25, 1894:, is shown a form of switch-actuating device having emergency provisions. The invention therein shown, however, was intended largely for use in connection with continuous unbroken main tracks. My present invention contemplates the formation of a switch-throwing mechanism which can be tripped, so that the switch will be automatically closed against the movement of the train from the main track to the siding, but which can be operated in the usual manner without interference by the automatic tripping mechanism.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown an embodiment of the invention; but it is to be understood that the principles involved may be derived by mechanism materially different in character and construction and that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the invention.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a plan of a section of the track with the improvement applied. Fig. 2 is a detail longitudinal section, showing the parts in elevation, of the switch-rod. Fig. 3 is a detail view showing the parts in section of the outer end of the tripping-rod. Fig. 4 is a similar view of end elevation, showing the uprights in lowered position in dotted lines. Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken through the line of Fig. 2, showing the crank-arm removed. Fig. 6 is a similar view, on a reduced scale, showing the position of the crank-arm; and Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the abutment within the shell or tube.

In the drawings the main track is represented at A and the switch-siding at B.

G designates the switch-stand of any approved form.

D designates the connecting bar for the points of the switch, and E designates the switch-rod connected, respectively, with the switch-actuating levers C and the connectingbar D. This switch-rod is made conveniently in two sections, as shown in Fig. 2, the part E being the inner portion and the part E being the outer portion, which is connected with the switch-stand levers in the usual manner. The end of the part E is somewhat enlarged, as at a, and has by a threaded engagement a tubular extension or housing F rigid therewith. The outer portion E of the switchrod has its end a somewhat enlarged and extended into the housing or tube F. Surrounding the end of the portion E is an abutment 0 rigid on the rod, and against this abutment one end of the coil-spring G rests, the opposite end abutting a wide fixed collar H, secured to the inner walls of the tubular housing F by screws or rivets. This collar has a central opening through which the enlarged end a of the portion 0 of the switchrod projects andloosely fits. The portion E is guided in its movements backward and forward in the tubular housing F at the rear end of the housing by a cap-piece 72/, fitted in the end of the housing. Secured to the outer end of the enlarged part c of the section or portion E of the switch-rod is a swinging crank or catch K, the same being mounted on a pivot-pin Z0, centrallylocated in the part E and its outer end being provided with an extended or elongated wrist-pin K as shown in Figs. 2 and 5. The end of the wrist-pi.-

lies in close proximity to the end of the part E, as shown, so that the movement of the part E outward to close the switch is limited to the contact of the wrist-pin with the end of the part E, thus in effect making a continuous switch-rod in the act of closing the switch. The collar H is conveniently about four (4) inches wide, more or less, and has a removed portion forming achannel It therein, the width of this channel being suflicient to permit the catch or crank arm K to pass thereinto when the same is in proper alinement. The tubular casing F is cut away slightly for a short distance on one side, and through this opening is passed the end portion of a crank Z, which crank is rigid with and carried by the tripping-rod L, mounted upon the sleepers of the main track and retained in position by suitable boxings Z. The end Z is of a width considerably less than that of the wrist-pin and is provided with-an oblong slot Z through which the relatively small but elongated wrist-pin passes. The opposite end of the tripping-rod L is provided with a pivot-arm L, the same standing normally at right angles to the rod L and being prevented from moving in one direction by a rule-joint connection, as shown, and being held from movement in the opposite direction by engaging the outer face of the bearing Z, as shown in Fig. 3. This arm L when in an upright position is located in the path of the actuating plate or shoe M, carried on the locomotive, as shown in dotted lines, Figs. 1 and 3. This shoeM may be mounted adjustably in any convenient mannerfor actuation from the cap or directly by hand, as may be desired.

The tripping-rod L is conveniently provided with a coil-spring Z at its crank end which serves to retain the same in position against vibration or outward movement. Other means can, however, be employed. The crank Zis arranged at an angle conveniently to the plane of the arm L, so that when the latter is in a vertical position theformer will be substantially horizontal or slightly below the same.

In operation the parts are set conveniently, as shown in Fig. 3that is to say, the switchrod as a whole is practical-1y a continuous rod, parts being positively locked against independent movement and in which position the spring G is under compression between the fixed abutment orcollar H and the abutment 0 Should the operator accidentally leave the switch open, so as to carry the oncoming train onto the siding from the main track, it is only necessary for the engineer to locate the shoeM in aposition to strike the arm L. This will force the arm forward, and owing to the fulcrum on the bearing-block Z the movement of the arm will force the tripping-rod rearward, as shown in dotted lines, Fig. 3. This will retract the crank end thereof, drawing the crank-arm K into line with the open- 5 ing or channel it of the collar H, permitting the spring G to thereupon act to force the part E of the switch-rod forward and immediately snap the switch closed against the ingress of the train to the siding, thereby automatically actuating the resetting of the switch from the main-line track. After the automatic setting of the switch it will be necessary to again compress the spring, which can be done by the use of a suitable bar or lever pressingvupon the switch-points to force the end of the part E through the collar and the catch to a point beyond the collar H. In this position the catch is turned so as to be out of alinement with the channel it. When the switch is closed against the ingress from the main track, the arm L is thrown over into a horizontal position, as shown in dotted lines, Fig. 4, but the moment the switch is opened to permit the train to run onto the siding the arm is elevated, The back-and-forth movement of the switch-rod is permitted while maintaining the contact or proper relation between the crank of the tripping-rod and the wrist-pin of the catch K by the head of the part Z andiits elongated slot, together with the extended wrist-pin, so that theend Z may-have a slight tilted movement and still maintain its engagement with-the wrist-pin without interference.

From the above-described construction it will be apparent that a continuous rod is formed which will resist practically any pressure which may be placed thereon in the usual act of actuating the switch, but that the rod is provided with means for lengthening the same, which means are rendered .active only" upon the emergency resulting in the striking of the tripping-lever by the shoe on the train. Therefore the positive actuation of the switch in both opening and closing under normal conditions and when in general use is always assured, as the rod is practically continuous in effect, and yet the provision for emergency or accidental leaving the switch in improper position is provided for.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is

1. In a'railway-switch, the combination with switch points, of actuating I mechanism for moving the points comprising a sectional rod having its parts fixed normally against-independent longitudinal movement, a tripping device provided with means actuated by a passing train, for actuating thesame, a catch actuated by said tripping means for releasing the sections of the switch-actuating rod, and a spring for moving one section of the switchrod relative to the. other after thecatch has been actuated.

2. In a railwayswitch,the combination with tripping mechanism adapted to be actuated by a passing train, of a switch actuated rod formed in sections, means for normally locking the sections against independent movement,a connection between said locking means and the tripping mechanism, and a springfor relatively moving the sections of the rod upon the release thereof.

3. In arailway-switch, the combination of a divided switch-rod, a coupling between the divisions thereof permitting an independent movement, a spring in the coupling, a lock for preventing an independent movement of the divisions, and a trip adapted to be actuated by a passing train for releasing said lock, substantially as described.

4:. In a rail wayswitch,the combination with a switch-rod comprising independent sections, an emergency-spring sleeved on one section and abutting the opposite section, a pivoted lock for retaining the sections normally in position against independent longitudinal movement, and a trip device adapted to be actuated by a passing train for unlocking the sections and permitting the spring to force one of the sections outward.

5. In a railway-switch, the combination with a switch-rod comprising two sections, a tubular extension on one section into which the opposite section extends, a spring within the tubular extension, an abutment on the opposite member of the rod against which the spring rests, a pivot-latch locking the sections against independent movement, and means for actuating the latch to release the sections upon the presence of a moving train.

6. In a railway-switch, the combination with a switch rod, a switch stand, and switchpoints, to which .the rod is attached respectively, said rod being formed of independent sections having relative movement, means for locking the rod against independent movement comprising a pivot-catch, a collar having an opening therein with which the catch is adapted to engage, a spring for forcing the sections'apart, and means actuated by a passing train for moving the catch into alinement with the opening in the collar.

7 In a switch, the combination with points, and stand, of a spring-actuated extensible rod, means for locking the rod against extension, and a trip actuated by a passing train for releasing the rod and permitting the same to extend.

8. In a switch actuating mechanism, a switch-rod comprising two sections, a tubular extension on one section, a spring contained within the extension and sleeved on the end of the opposite section, abutments upon which the ends of the spring rest carried respectively by the sections, a pivoted catch for retaining the spring under compression and preventing independent movement of the sections, and means for releasing the catch in the presence of a passing train.

9. In a switch the combination With a switchrod comprising independent parts adapted for relative movement, means for locking the parts against independent movement, a spring for moving the parts when released, and a tripping device comprising a rod having a crank at one end and a pivoted arm at the opposite end adapted to be struck by a projection on a passing train.

10. In a switch-actuating device, the combination with a switch-rod, a spring for actuating the switch, means for retaining the spring normally under compression, a'tripping device for said means comprising a rocking crank, and means for moving the crank longitudinally to release said retaining means comprising a pivoted arm connected with the trip.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE E. LEMMON. Witnesses:

J. W. PHILLIPS, J. W. WILKINSON. 

